Travel Guide Pekanbaru

Capital of the state of Riau, the city lives and breathes oil. With the exception of Western workers and engineers, it has nothing to attract tourists. Only the mosque is worth seeing. Jl Sudirman is the main thoroughfare: banks and oil companies follow one another.The town was founded in the 18th century for its strategic position as a good anchorage, both inland and in the Strait of Malacca. Pekanbaru was the scene of the exploits of the cunning Hang Tua, who fought the Dutch, often successfully. Today, the national hero seems to have been emulated: pirates who attack cargo ships and oil tankers use the same techniques. Once they've made their move, they disappear into the maze of islands dotting the marshy coast in their fast, discreet boats.